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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Troubled and disappointed, that's all you have to say President of Northwestern? I was under the impression that curriculum had to be approved by the administration, what the hell happened to those policies? Seriously, I'm troubled by this. You can read about it here and tell me what you think.

Here's what I think. I believe that Psychology, of all levels, is important. Obviously, as I'm going for my Psych. degree. However, I also believe that inviting convicted sex offenders to a college campus is a bad, scratch that, very, very,bad idea.

Other things involved in these so-called "entirely optional, not covered on exams" demonstrations and discussions include: an outside demonstration with a couple engaging in live sex with a prop, a man invited to participate in a discussion of "kinky people."

Professor Bailey must have known this was out of the ordinary when he wrote to the "Weird Chicago Tours" and informed them of the goings on, even asking them, "would it be okay if one of the women with him demonstrated female ejaculation using equipment they had brought with them."

The Professor claimed that he had, previously, featured a transsexual performer and two convicted sex offenders as well as a swinging couple.

This is what the University's President said:

In his statement, Morton Schapiro, the university president, said: “Although the incident took place in an after-class session that students were not required to attend, and students were advised in advance, several times, of the explicit nature of the activity, I feel it represented extremely poor judgment on the part of our faculty member.”

Mr. Schapiro said the university would “investigate fully the specifics of this incident, and also clarify what constitutes appropriate pedagogy, both in this instance and in the future.”

In his e-mail to his class, Professor Bailey expressed no regrets.

“Student feedback for this event,” he said, “was uniformly positive.”

I have nothing against teachings about sex, none whatsoever. In fact, teach them everything, they should know it! However, when you're bringing criminals to a campus, whether it be college or not, know that you are endangering them. The University President should be upset and aware of that and the Professor should be disciplined for that.

Honestly, what would people say if it were a forensics class and they invited a murderer, recently released, on campus. Hey, it's after hours, totally "voluntary" so it's no big deal... right?

*EDIT*

My husband brought up a good point. Sex offenders DO have the right to an education. At least, as far as I'm aware they're still allowed to attend colleges. Also, as far as I'm aware they're no longer eligible for government aid. This may have changed the last I heard so, no attacks. If you have different information, I'm all for education on the subject. ;)

My problem with the Professor introducing this in a Human Sexuality Psychology course is that if it is not in the Syllabus at the beginning of the year, then he is endangering those who have been sexually abused and, quite possibly, setting them back. Possibly setting them back years in their therapy. If they did seek out therapy. This isn't right for anyone, not for those who were attacked and are getting past their issues and not for the sex offenders who are (hopefully) dealing with their issues and attempting (hopefully) to live normal lives.

My other problem is that sex offenders are to be on the registry, I realize that not all of them are. All too well. I know that there are different levels of sex offenders. What levels is he bringing around students? Are they the extreme dangerous or the ones who were convicted merely because they picked up a prostitute or were convicted because they were 17 or 18 and dating a 15 year old? Or did he bring the one that was convicted, because he was only able to be caught that one time, for a most heinous sex offense? What type of Professor is this that is allowed to teach... or rather run "live experiments" on unsuspecting students?

3
comments:

Anonymous
said...

And while the University President swears up and down that the students were warned "several times" in advance about the explicit nature, that is NOT what comments from the students say. In fact, this latest event, was billed as a q-and-a about fetishes. So I throw the BS flag on the field, and challenge the school president.

While I think discussion on any of those subjects wouldn't be at all out of place during a human sexuality class, there was no need for a live demonstration. The students essentially got a "free" (at least, as far as their tuition already being paid) sex show. I've heard about the infamous donkey shows down in Tijuana, and have in the past referenced them (in jest), but I don't need a live visual to be aware of how the mechanics of that work. The professor should utilize YouTube. Lots cheaper ;)